These abrasive striations are the result of the erosion of Athabaska Glacier. Glacial striations are produced as the sediments picked up by the glacier interact with the bedrock, gouging and scratching as the glacier moves through. These striations are usually seen as parallel lines like this image and are indicative of the direction of movement. Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield located in the Canadian Rockies. It is one of the most visited glaciers in Canada and has been receding for the past 125 years, losing over half of its original volume. The shoe in the image is used for scale.